wildfam - Jul 7, 2023 5:18 pm Date Climbed: Jun 8, 2023
Appalachian Trail
Spent night at Hightop Hut near the summit. Had a perfect evening to enjoy the view. Didn't venture off the AT to climb up to the exact summit
CMStinson - Oct 27, 2020 7:53 am Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2020
go to the real summit
The "summit overlook" shown on the main page for this peak (as of today, at least) is not at the summit of the mountain, but see the details in the "Getting There" section. The overlook's not too far from the top, but the true summit is a rock pile near the remnants of the supports of a tower that once stood on the top but is long gone. The views from the overlook are great, and the hike is a nice, relatively short walk on the AT until you get to the last little bit that takes you off the AT to the top of the mountain.
The true summit doesn't really offer much in the way of views, especially when leaves are on the trees.
chmoore577 - Aug 22, 2020 6:31 am Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2020
Good trail, bad weather
Low clouds, drizzling rain, no views
technicolorNH - May 14, 2015 5:11 pm Date Climbed: May 11, 2015
Done after Old Rag
Nice quiet forty minute hike to the summit. It was a hot day for mid May.
Nice, quiet climb to some gorgeous views of the Shenandoah valley to the west.
Hagen - Oct 13, 2012 11:26 pm Date Climbed: Dec 11, 2010
Winter fun
This mountain is a decent workout with a winter surprise a little south of the summit. There's a spring that freezes into a 16' high and 30' wide wall of ice. It's very pretty, and visible from the AT. It's one of my "ice bouldering" sites. You can practice your ice climbing form with minimal gear, without the painful penalty for failure.
Beautiful steady climb from Smith Roach Gap...view well worth the hike! One of my favorites in Shenandoah
hightinerary - Oct 21, 2011 7:15 pm Date Climbed: Oct 17, 2011
Take Two
I climbed it on 17 and 18 October. (I liked it so much the first time, I did it again the next day.)
CheesySciFi - Nov 28, 2009 8:54 am Date Climbed: Nov 22, 2009
From Hightop Mountain Parking Lot
It was a good day for a hike. In spite of the haze, the views from the overlook were good. I saw Rocky Mount, Beldor Ridge, Hanse Mountain, and many other peaks in SNP. There was a side trail to the summit that was easy to follow.
AirborneBuff - May 11, 2007 4:53 pm Date Climbed: May 7, 2007
Route Climbed: Rockfish Gap along the AT
Hiked from Rockfish Gap as part of a 5 day hike on the AT through SNP. Took me 41.3 miles to summit this peak.
SteveinFXBG - Jun 11, 2006 7:50 pm Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2006
From Smith Roach Gap
Great views from the overlook. It was a bit chilly and windy up there, not a typical June day. A good hike, without much other traffic.
Route Climbed: From Hightop Mountain Parking lot Date Climbed: 12/18/2004
A nice clear day in December. The trail is steep at parts. The overlook near the summit is excellent, although the summit itself is a 100 yard bushwhack.
wildfam - Jul 7, 2023 5:18 pm Date Climbed: Jun 8, 2023
Appalachian TrailSpent night at Hightop Hut near the summit. Had a perfect evening to enjoy the view. Didn't venture off the AT to climb up to the exact summit
CMStinson - Oct 27, 2020 7:53 am Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2020
go to the real summitThe "summit overlook" shown on the main page for this peak (as of today, at least) is not at the summit of the mountain, but see the details in the "Getting There" section. The overlook's not too far from the top, but the true summit is a rock pile near the remnants of the supports of a tower that once stood on the top but is long gone. The views from the overlook are great, and the hike is a nice, relatively short walk on the AT until you get to the last little bit that takes you off the AT to the top of the mountain.
The true summit doesn't really offer much in the way of views, especially when leaves are on the trees.
chmoore577 - Aug 22, 2020 6:31 am Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2020
Good trail, bad weatherLow clouds, drizzling rain, no views
technicolorNH - May 14, 2015 5:11 pm Date Climbed: May 11, 2015
Done after Old RagNice quiet forty minute hike to the summit. It was a hot day for mid May.
wanderweg83 - Feb 1, 2014 9:58 am
HightopNice, quiet climb to some gorgeous views of the Shenandoah valley to the west.
Hagen - Oct 13, 2012 11:26 pm Date Climbed: Dec 11, 2010
Winter funThis mountain is a decent workout with a winter surprise a little south of the summit. There's a spring that freezes into a 16' high and 30' wide wall of ice. It's very pretty, and visible from the AT. It's one of my "ice bouldering" sites. You can practice your ice climbing form with minimal gear, without the painful penalty for failure.
mtwashingtonmonroe - Sep 17, 2012 7:25 pm Date Climbed: Sep 16, 2012
Well worth the hike!Beautiful steady climb from Smith Roach Gap...view well worth the hike! One of my favorites in Shenandoah
hightinerary - Oct 21, 2011 7:15 pm Date Climbed: Oct 17, 2011
Take TwoI climbed it on 17 and 18 October. (I liked it so much the first time, I did it again the next day.)
CheesySciFi - Nov 28, 2009 8:54 am Date Climbed: Nov 22, 2009
From Hightop Mountain Parking LotIt was a good day for a hike. In spite of the haze, the views from the overlook were good. I saw Rocky Mount, Beldor Ridge, Hanse Mountain, and many other peaks in SNP. There was a side trail to the summit that was easy to follow.
AirborneBuff - May 11, 2007 4:53 pm Date Climbed: May 7, 2007
Route Climbed: Rockfish Gap along the ATHiked from Rockfish Gap as part of a 5 day hike on the AT through SNP. Took me 41.3 miles to summit this peak.
SteveinFXBG - Jun 11, 2006 7:50 pm Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2006
From Smith Roach GapGreat views from the overlook. It was a bit chilly and windy up there, not a typical June day. A good hike, without much other traffic.
pilz8 - Jan 1, 2005 8:53 pm
Date Climbed: oct. 2004Nice hike, we saw a good sized black bear near the summit.
hgrapid - Dec 18, 2004 6:33 pm
Route Climbed: From Hightop Mountain Parking lot Date Climbed: 12/18/2004A nice clear day in December. The trail is steep at parts. The overlook near the summit is excellent, although the summit itself is a 100 yard bushwhack.